“I still don't know if things fit together, or if everything will be all right in the end. But I believe that something means something. I believe in cleansing the soul through fun and games. I also believe in love. And I have several good friends, and just one bad one.” — Erlend Loe

I was supposed to go to Norway this weekend (I know I know, we only just got back), but instead, on Saturday morning, me and Marek sat on Tiiu and sailed to Hiiumaa. For me, it is no news that plans change and I cannot plan more than couple of days ahead where or which country I might be.

Funny story with Hiiumaa – I had been there only two times, but thanks to the Home Cafe Days, I went there last summer more often than to Tartu and completely fell in love. Hiiumaa offers me everything that I like. Nature, peace, art, culture, gourmet experience. No wonder I am in love. And why wait until summer to visit this wonderful island again? Specially, if we have such a beautiful winter like we have. It would be very stupid thing to spend childfree weekend watching TV. So we went to Hiiumaa.

We stayed in one of the cutest little guest houses in the world near Orjaku harbor. I felt a bit guilty for not having Ida with us, as she would really have enjoyed the fact that we stayed like in a little dollhouse. Then again, I cannot remember the last time we had a holiday, just me and Marek, alone. So this little romantic getaway from the daily routine into the bush was well needed.

Roose Tinyhouse is about 400 meters from Orjaku harbor. Even though that would have not meant anything to me last year, then I can assure you now, that it is A PERFECT location. During last year’s Home Café Days I saw the kind of buzz surrounding Orjaku harbor, not to mention the late evening concert ahead, that I am actually thinking of booking this place for myself for next Café Days. Unless, somebody is quicker than me…

The house itself is just too cool, that me and Marek couldn’t decide whether we need one as our guest house in the back yard or as a little summer house in Prangli island. “Let’s take two” we were joking like we had loads of money. But they say, you have to dream big. And Cuuben houses ARE cute. Just like real life dollhouses, where you have all the necessary (from kitchen to toilet). The biggest bonus of course was the huge glass wall as a live TV. Actually, we should have shut the TV, because C’mon, the second semifinal in Eesti Laul was just too rubbish, and enjoy the nature and view behind the glass. Like National Geographic for free.

(PS! Thanks to Klaudia and Jaagup, I was introduced to products from Hiiu Gourmet and fell in love a bit more. This mini house had all these products to offer and reminded me that I have to go to Toiduhaldjad in Nõmme. That is the only place in Tallinn that sells their products … I think)

If you think that there is nothing happening in Hiiumaa in wintertime, you are so wrong. This weekend we had to choose between going to the opening of Olev Subbi nude paintings exhibition or Icefish festival. But why not visit both? Marek was against it at first, that he does not want to go and see erotica, why can’t he go fishing, but after leaving the exhibition (which, as you can understand, we still visited), he admit it being interesting. Specially, because Enn Kunila introduced the paintings and his creation so interestingly. I am not the biggest fan of Olev Subbi, but I enjoyed that exhibition very much. I was fascinated by the colors.

And to see Lurich in the middle of naked ladies … I don’t have enough words. Lurich is a legend of his own! If you happen to visit Hiiumaa, then pop in to see that exhibition too. Go and check out the ladies and Lurich for yourself. It is worth it.

There was also an Icefish festival this weekend in Orjaku harbor. Like the organisers and visitors said, the aim was to show that Hiiumaa is beautiful not only during summer time and I could not agree more. Of course we were lucky with the weather, but my god how good it was to spend the day in fresh air and nature. It was so beautiful. And fun. Me, who hates dancing above all, was dancing together with a local folk group. Because it was cold, so god deem cold. I understood the steps only after the dance was finished, but somebody had to be the clown too. Plus, I became warm. Actually, you couldn’t feel the cold weather, but after going into the pub to get some warmth, the cold feeling stayed. Thankfully, I had received my woolen socks from grandmother the previous evening, otherwise my toes would have frozen. And I didn’t want to go home yet, as there was still fire show and Jäääär concert to come.

After seeing the magic fire show, we both got even colder. I wonder, how come the women, who performed, didn’t freeze…

During the concert we met with an old friend of ours, who is one of the reasons I like visiting Laulasmaa (spa and) restaurant, because he has put the menu together. So there we were, chatting and gossiping friendly whilst enjoying the amazing concert.

Like the color of snow disappearing in my eyes

When the snow is swirling in the sky

Like the color of fire fading in my memories

But the coal is glowing fire.

Then on your mouth, on your mouth

Is all the cold and all the heat

Then on your mouth is all the cold

“The color of snow” is one of my favorite songs. Beautiful Estonian and beautiful music. BEAUTIFUL. The right song to sum up the day.

After the concert we literally rushed into our mini house. We were just too cold. TOO COLD. Sauna was the only thing we could think of and luckily the hosts had already heated it up. We only had to drag our frozen bodies into the heat to start melting. Oh My God, how I miss not having a sauna at home. It was just soooo amazing. And how romantic and quiet was the winterly Orjaku. Only us, snow, junipers and soft light. I am actually thinking that maybe snowy Hiiumaa is even more magical than in the summer time…

We were well rested by morning and woke up with the dawn. We took the 8:30 ferry back to the main land. I left a little part of my heart to Orjaku. Thank you for this lounge! Thank you! We will be back. Hopefully, before August. And we will bring Ida this time. That would only be fare.